Trump War One.

Let them fight it out.

Trump War One.

Let them fight it out.

It used to be common practice in the UK for police officers attending a bar brawl to wait outside until the belligerents had exhausted themselves before entering and making arrests. Doing nothing was the most effective and efficient way to resolve the issue. The exhausted fighters came quietly in most cases and the risk to the authorities was mitigated.

Although Trump War One is far more serious than a bar brawl, I would argue the best policy for allies is to sit back and watch Netanyahu, Trump, and the new Ayatollah exhaust themselves before we make any attempt to clean up their mess.

A retired US General on CNN yesterday suggested US ‘allies’ should assist in opening up the strait of Hormuz with their warships. My first reaction was, ‘You must be kidding. You started this fight, you created this problem, you have killed a few thousand Iranians and a lot of Iranian schoolgirls, you have destabilised the world economy and now you think we should run to assist you!’

Trump made in clear in 2025 he would not come to the aid of other NATO states if they were under attack. He said, ‘It depends on the circumstances.’ In that short sentence he killed all trust in the USA as a reliable ally. All his military power and bluster has not been enough to defeat Iran no matter how many times he tell his domestic audience the war is over. Trump plays up to his MAGA base in the domestic media but on the world stage he is seen for what he truly is, a blundering fool.

Trump announced he is sending five thousand US marines to assist in operations. Pundits with little understanding of military affairs are talking about ‘boots on the ground’ implying some kind of invasion. To be clear, five thousand marines is a brigade, not an army. It might be enough to carry out a counter insurgency operation or provide protection for US assets in gulf states but to attack Iran would require at least half a million men. The Iranian army is estimated to be 960,000 strong. It simply isn’t going to happen, but if it did, (because nothing is impossible where Trump is concerned) there would be a lot of brave, young, US soldiers going home in boxes.

Although it is in every nation’s interest to open up the shipping lanes again, I would argue the best way to a resolution is to stand outside and let Trump and Netanyahu waste all their resources and energy and only then offer to clean up their mess.

Pedro Sanchez of Spain, Mark Carney of Canada and pocket rocket, Georgia Meloni of Italy have made it absolutely clear this is their position.

Sanchez called the attacks ‘Reckless and illegal.’

Meloni said, ‘The U.S./Israel war on Iran violates international law.’

Carney released a statement admonishing the U.S. and Israel for initiating a war with Iran without UN approval or consultation with allies.

Other European leaders have been more diplomatic but are leaning the same way. Keir Starmer prevaricates, which makes him no friends.

We are hearing more threats from Trump of ‘fire and fury,’ and ‘to hit harder than ever before.’ The rhetoric has close similarities to Putin over the past four years. I’m waiting for Trump to say, ‘There will be serious consequences.’

As the cost of US attacks reach up to $1 billion per day and ammunition resources are placed under pressure it will not be long before the US exhausts itself and starts looking for a face-saving exit. A withdrawal claiming victory and to have once again ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear development, might prove enough for Trump, but would it be enough for Iran to remove its threat over the Strait of Hormuz? Executing a national and religious leader will not be so easy to wash away with diplomacy. If Trump hoped to weaken Iran his ‘Special Military Operation’ seems to have failed. Iran is more united than it has been for many years, has a more belligerent and extreme leader; has forced oil producing states to question their relations with the USA and has exposed the US forces as hollow under Trump.

Most people feel this war is nothing more than a deliberate, brutal distraction and a redirection of world attention away from Trump’s domestic issues. We should not be expected to pay for the consequences of his actions.

This is Trump and Netanyahu’s war, let them have it!

Robin Horsfall

I write to fight.

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